Apple rumored to have supersized prototype tablets (poll)

The latest tidbit out of China suggests Apple is looking at larger sizes for …

Rumors have long swirled that Apple has a tablet computer—usually believed to have a screen roughly 10" in size—that will be released sometime early next year. However, the company may also be considering larger tablets, in 13" and 15" size, that are even capable of running standard Mac OS X.

The latest rumor is based on a source—one that Gizmodo considers "100 percent reliable"—that claims to have seen prototypes of 13" and 15" touchscreen devices, made of aluminum, with at least one of them running Leopard. The prototypes were in a factory in Shenzhen, China that has a "tight relation with Apple." That factory is not part of Foxconn, one of Apple's main Asian manufacturing partners, however.

Most rumors have centered on a device that is larger than an iPhone, smaller than a MacBook, and running an iPhone-like OS. A much larger tablet, running Mac OS X, would certainly be within Apple's technical prowess—they have patents on all sorts of touch technology. But we're not convinced Apple would pursue that market, at least for the time being. We know the business for Axiotron's ModBook and ModBook Pro isn't anywhere near the neighborhood that Apple would typically want from a product.

That's not to say Apple wouldn't be experimenting with other form factors or sizes. However, the source for Gizmodo couldn't confirm whether the prototypes were simply for demonstration or actual preproduction units. Given Apple's legendary reputation for keeping such prototypes from view, we have a hard time believing that they would turn up in a factory in China. Considering Shenzhen's penchant for knock-offs, the skeptic in us says the devices could merely have been the result of an extremely creative project on the part of the factory itself.

If Apple is convinced that tablets will one day replace our MacBooks and MacBook Pros, on the other hand, prototypes would definitely exist. And, if that's the case, it wouldn't surprise us to see them move tablets into the mainstream when other vendors have largely failed to pull it off.

For me, it would depend entirely on the price. If it were netbook priced, and had a video output, it could be a decent little travel companion for me when I'm visiting customers. Anything else, and my X61 will suffice just fine.

No idea until I see how they handle text entry. If it's any more unwieldy than an iPhone, I'd probably pass. If it's actually much easier than an iPhone, I'd probably pick one up, assuming there's a large enough community of available apps at launch (so assuming it runs some significant selection of existing iPhone or OSX apps).

I'm disappointed that the poll didn't have a 7" tablet in the lineup. That to me is the ideal size for a tablet type device.

Speaking of which, tablets that bet much bigger than 10" are a bit of a joke in my mind. The whole idea of a tablet is that of a computer that is quick and easy to carry around, it is not a device to replace a laptop.

However even my little iPhone has greatly reduced the need on my part to carry around a laptop. In fact two years ago when I got my laptop I didn't have the iPhone, if I did have it I may have gone back to a desktop. A seven inch class tablet would have definitely caused me to think long and hard about a laptop.

Frankly to carry around a 13 inch tablet offers no advantage at all over a clam shell laptop so why? At least with todays technology it doesn't, ad voice input and other advance input methods coupled to real AI and we might have another discussion. The problem is all of that requires more computer horse power than can be found in a tablet.

Unless of Course Apple and ARM have something really fancy up their sleeves in the way of a high performance 64 bit processor that sips power. It is intriguing what Apple/PA Semi and arm may have in the wings, but I don't think it will be hardware capable of powering AI based user input. If they prove me wrong My credit card will suffer.

While 10" is a much better size than 13" for a tablet, the critical point here is whether it will run std OSX. I'd be very interested in a tablet Mac that is as open and configurable as a MacBook, but an over-sized locked-up iPod Touch would be little more than a curiosity.

I agree with an earlier poster that 7" or 8" might be easier to carry around.

However, I can see the allure if a 10" screen especially if it has an "always on " Internet connection via AT&T or Verizon. It is sufficiently portable and typing with thumbs would not be too hard, especially for those folks who find the onscreen keyboard on the iPhone/iPodTouch too small.

I agree - screen size larger than 10" will be cumbersome as you cannot easily type with your thumbs - unless you have giant hands

Also, I think such a device can have only two sizes. Thin and Thick... where the thick version will be more durable for those of us who have a tendency to drop things. The thick one can be a premium version I guess for the ones who have a lot of money.

I have always loved the idea of a Mac tablet (I like the idea of tablets in general--Windows 7 has some fantastic tablet features and support), but if it doesn't run real Mac OS X, it is worthless for me. I wouldn't buy a giant Windows CE palmtop in this day and age, and I also won't buy a giant iPhone.

Originally posted by TheFerenc:Do you mean Shenzhen? There is no city in China named Shenzuen. And Shenzhen is a major manufacturing city for western device makers.

Ha! Good eye... I copied and pasted from Gizmodo to make sure I didn't mistype it, and apparently so did everyone else on the Internet. I immediately thought Shenzhen, but I didn't notice the misspelling.

I voted IPhone is enough, and it's mostly true. I haven't missed my powerbook since I parked it at home, put a Mac Pro in the office, and go about with just the iPhone. However, I'd give this tablet a test drive and strongly consider it a design tool if it's powerful enough. I expect it to be expensive, and I'll not be taken in by ridiculous subsidies/contracts. I'd get one unlocked outright if anything. Anyway, I like that mockup much more than the iPhone-on-steroids look from last week.

Would you buy an Apple Tablet?Yes – 10" is a handy size, but larger is too big.

I may want to say yes to this, but also disagree with larger is too big

Yes – 13" or larger could replace a notebook for me.

I may want to say yes to this, but not agree that it would replace a notebook

No - an iPhone/iPod touch suffices for me.– That's an OK question.

No - You can take my keyboard from my cold, dead hands.- Emotionally charged, but otherwise an OK question choice

No - who gives a crap about tablets?– also a valid choice of answer

The problem is just with the first two questions.

Personally I would like one as a – web browser / eBook Reader / wireless controllerand probably some other things too…

I would want to see one - 'in the flesh' - before deciding what size was right was right for me.

Portability is an issue, but too small is also an issue, as is too big.

So looking for that Goldilocks size…

Also I don't see it as replacing a notebook…Although with the right Dock/Stand… That's a possibility for low performance applications.Like casual report writing for instance – in conjunction with a wireless keyboard…– But then we are beginning to get away from portability.

Except something like a wireless keyboard could be a useful 'home-base' hardware extension.– ie just left behind.

The idea of a high-quality 'portable media reader'( = Not a small screen + Good resolution + Color + Touch interface + Light ), could for-fill a useful niche- one where iPhone is too small, but where a full laptop is not wanted/needed )

– Using it instead, more like an electronic book / notepad / multimedia pad

A larger tablet would be nice. I'm posting this from a Windows7 tablet using the hand writing recognition. The screen is only 1280×800 , which could stand to be better. However, the writing is very good. Apple may have some clever improvements to the UI, which would be welcome.

The results for 10" and 13" and the popularity of the iPhone, demonstrates that the reason why Tablets have failed is precisely because they didn't come in multiple form factors. Go to a meeting in any office and look around the table. What are people writing on? Various different sized notepads, depending on their personal preference.

From iPhone up to A4 / US Letter size, a tablet needs to have at least 3 form factors - iPhone, A5 (half A4) and A4 (roughly US Letter size). Apple seems to have got it.

Originally posted by AJester:I agree - screen size larger than 10" will be cumbersome as you cannot easily type with your thumbs - unless you have giant hands

Apple had a patent out there for an on screen keyboard that was split in two radial arcs / semi-circles in the bottom left & right corners. This would allow you to type with thumbs on a larger than 10" device. And would let you see more content in the middle to boot.

I would use it as my lounging around the house web-surfing computer and a possible dvd/tv replacement. Include a stand, bluetooth (for mouse and kb), an Apple remote and mayble 2 USB ports. Heck, I could replace my tv if it had the horsepower to run EyeTV.

I could see devices with 6" to 10" screens, anything larger would be too unwieldy to be useful as a hand-held device. Anything larger than 10" wold have to sit on a table to be effectively used. Besides, a touch screen of that size would be extremely expensive at this point.

Less than absolute accuracy won't be acceptable (i.e., Newton). The Apple/China iPhone relationship is a major advance toward refinement of handwriting recognition. Speech recognition has improved greatly in the last few years, but the increased efficiencies in low-level computational tools of 10.6 will help increase response time immensely. Watch for these two technology plays. Alan Kay's Dynabook is finally here.

Originally posted by chimly:It's a laptop without a keyboard, and it's locked so that only App-store programs work with it.

Mac OS X platform is the last *personal* computer from Apple. They are going to phase everything out for strictly controlled media and office devices.

That comment slipped under the radar without much notice, I thought I'd pluck it out.

In all honesty I think you're right, I assume they will continue to make macs though, at least as far as my 10year crystal ball can see.

As a mac user for the last 23 years, Apple and I will part ways when they try to lock down their computers like an iPhone. I'm already posting from XP because I can't afford to replace my aging Quad G5 with a new Mac. I need an xMac!

Well, you can't have it both ways. The problem is, if Apple keeps Mac OS X as unsecure as running non-signed programs, then you can run whatever you want on it. BUT, the hackers/trojan/malware writers can also run whatever they want to, as long as you give their programs the ability to install with your password. If they decided to enforce signed applications, the user would actually not need to worry about trojans and other things installing on their computer... but of course you lose that flexibility of installing whatever you want. But there's always hacking the system if you're sure you can deal with the security implications. For the rest of us, though, I think it'll be a pretty decent compromise, given the example of the App Store.

Originally posted by bartfat:Well, you can't have it both ways. The problem is, if Apple keeps Mac OS X as unsecure as running non-signed programs, then you can run whatever you want on it. BUT, the hackers/trojan/malware writers can also run whatever they want to, as long as you give their programs the ability to install with your password. If they decided to enforce signed applications, the user would actually not need to worry about trojans and other things installing on their computer... but of course you lose that flexibility of installing whatever you want. But there's always hacking the system if you're sure you can deal with the security implications. For the rest of us, though, I think it'll be a pretty decent compromise, given the example of the App Store.

AKA enforce the great divide: there are the professionals and corporations who are allowed to write software and create content for computers, and the rest of you mouth breathers need to sit back and watch another movie or download a fart application.

Originally posted by chimly:It's a laptop without a keyboard, and it's locked so that only App-store programs work with it.

Mac OS X platform is the last *personal* computer from Apple. They are going to phase everything out for strictly controlled media and office devices.

That comment slipped under the radar without much notice, I thought I'd pluck it out.

In all honesty I think you're right, I assume they will continue to make macs though, at least as far as my 10year crystal ball can see.

As a mac user for the last 23 years, Apple and I will part ways when they try to lock down their computers like an iPhone. I'm already posting from XP because I can't afford to replace my aging Quad G5 with a new Mac. I need an xMac!

LOL

Not using the G5, why not post it to me, recycling and all that, should be able to find someone who wants it in an impoverished third world country

To me the price is as important as the screen size. If an Apple tablet is offered but is 500 to 600 dollars, I can't justify it and will get a Sony reader (the touch one, not the one just announced with wireless.) If it is cheaper but requires a cell phone-type contract this is also too expensive. I have wifi in my home and no desire to connect everywhere else. A color, video, ebook reading OS X hand held with a 10 inch or larger screen would be terrific. And worth 300-400 dollars.

Originally posted by foresmac108:Ha! Good eye... I copied and pasted from Gizmodo to make sure I didn't mistype it, and apparently so did everyone else on the Internet. I immediately thought Shenzhen, but I didn't notice the misspelling.

A 10" unit would be just too large to carry around and also be very expensive.

Who needs to lug around anything that large unless one needs full apps on it? Apple already has an iMac or MacBook for that!

My ideal unit would be a longer iPod Touch, perhaps about a 6" long, with iPhone App Store support. A wide landscape mode would allow for comfortable typing, and still fit in a pocket. And including wireless multi-touch to control iMac and PC screens would be really cool, too.

Of course it needs to be able to capture pages with a camera and my voice with a built-in mike; and be readable for articles and books and wikipedia and a dictionary etc. A 6" wide unit could be just perfect for all that and iTunes, too!